Home cleaning tips move from questionable opinions to rules more quickly than you can say pumice stone. But here’s the dirt: Not all cleaning hacks are safe, and your floors, appliances, and countertops may be more vulnerable to damage than you think.
Trendy Home Cleaning Tips and What the Pros Say
We asked the experts about whether they love or recommend losing these seven popular home cleaning tips, from the vinegar cure-all to the pumice stones some homeowners swear by.
Pumice Stones Are Good for Almost Any Deep-Cleaning Job
Love them: For toilets, ovens, and porcelain tubs
Lose them: For stone countertops, glass, fiberglass, and stainless steel
Pumice stones can scratch or dull countertops, acrylic tubs, nonstick cookware, and stainless steel. Even on safe surfaces, be cautious. “If pumice stones are not used correctly they can scratch or dull porcelain and glass, or natural stone,” says Isabella Flores of Sparkly Maid San Diego. Always wet a pumice stone first and test it in a hidden spot. When in doubt, stick with soft cloths or sponges to protect your finishes.
Vinegar Is Natural, So It Can Be Safely Used on Any Surface
Love it: On glass and tile, and to deodorize your fridge
Lose it: On stone, grout, and hardwoods
“Vinegar is great for glass, but I would not use this on all surfaces,” says Katie Lambert, owner of Clean Queen in Arvada, Colo. Vinegar’s high acidity makes it risky to use on stone countertops, marble, limestone, grout, and hardwoods. It can also corrode rubber seals or metal parts in appliances, like dishwashers. For most household cleaning, experts recommend mild dish soap or a specialized cleaner.
Disinfectants and Sanitizers Can Be Used as Everyday Cleaners
Love them: On high-touch surfaces and for specific circumstances
Lose them: As an everyday cleaner
“We carry disinfectant only to disinfect high-touch-point spots in the home during cold and flu season or if someone had an illness in the home,” says Lambert. Research has shown that overusing disinfectants can backfire by dulling or damaging materials, finishes, and coatings; weakening seals and adhesives; and even causing health problems, according to Envirox Clean.
The wide variety of materials used or doors, desks, countertops, and other surfaces means it’s almost impossible for disinfectants and sanitizers to be suited to all the materials, finishes, and coatings used, Envirox says. For regular cleaning, a soap-based cleaner is effective and gentler, and avoids harsh chemical buildup.
Magic Eraser Sponges Safely Remove Tough Stains
Love them: For scuffs, crayon marks, and stubborn grime on tile, bathtubs, and some plastics
Lose them: On glossy paint, wood furniture, nonstick cookware, and electronics
Micro-abrasive foam pads like Magic Erasers are excellent on hard surfaces, but they can damage delicate finishes and electronic screens. In addition, using them dry or with heavy pressure increases the risk of scratches. Always test first, avoid scrubbing too hard, and using them on polished or coated surfaces.
Steam Cleaning Is Best to Deep Clean Floors Without Chemicals
Love It: On sealed tile (porcelain and ceramic) and linoleum
Lose It: On solid or engineered hardwood, vinyl, or LVPs, or bamboo floors
“Vinyl is one of the most common types of flooring in households now, so steam cleaning floors is not an option for many homeowners,” says Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids in Denver. Steam cleaning is great for certain surfaces and loosening dirt and grime without scrubbing, and the heat can kill some germs. But steam can damage certain floors, and the hot water can loosen grout on some ceramic and porcelain tile. Always follow manufacturer instructions and test in a small area first. For floors at higher risk, use a damp microfiber mop.
Floor Polishes Condition Floors and Add Shine
Love them: For a quick, temporary shine before guests arrive
Lose them: As part of regular care
“Your floors will look gorgeous when you first put [floor polish] down, but it’s a short-lived reward,” says Shawna Eikenberry of Footprints Floors Raleigh. “It can dull very quickly and leave a cloudy film on your floors.” The National Wood Flooring Association recommends keeping hardwoods pristine with regular sweeping, vacuuming, and the proper wood floor cleaners — not waxes or polishes. To restore shine, professionals can buff, recoat, or refinish when needed.
Fabric Softener Improves Laundry Results and Is Safe for Your Washing Machine
Love it: For occasional use at most
Lose it: For regular loads
“[Fabric softener] does more harm than good to both your clothes and your washing machine,” says repair specialist Derrick Dennis, host of the YouTube appliance fix-it channel “Derrickwith2rs.” It can create a waxy barrier that traps dirt, grime, and grease, preventing proper rinsing and leaving items prone to odors over time, he adds.
Many fabric softeners have also been linked with harmful chemicals, including quats, or quaternary ammonium compounds. If you need to maintain softness or reduce static, experts suggest alternatives like dryer balls.
Some cleaning methods are keepers, but others can be troublemakers. Love the ones that protect your home and make cleaning easier, but lose the ones that damage surfaces, add unnecessary chemicals, or create extra work.